Top 5 Must See Tourist Places in Meghalaya, India

Situated on the Himalayan foothills in the far-flung northeast India and neighbor of Assam (Asom) is the State of Meghalaya in all its unhindered virgin beauty. Gorgeous waterfalls, undulating hills, quaint caves, meandering rivers, serene lakes, thick verdant forests, rich orchids, exotic flora and fauna – Meghalaya, often referred to as the Scotland of the East, offers a heady mix of tourist attractions.

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is situated at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level showcasing a romantic panorama. The spectacular artificial Ward's Lake, located at the heart of the city is a wondrous spot –with inroads made of cobbled sand stones leading to exquisite flowerbeds. The scenic beauty of the place is further heightened by colorful lighting. A visitor can come across a variety of exotic plants and a number of uncommon bird species at the Botanical Gardens here. The Shillong Cathedral is so commodious that it can accommodate a few thousand devotees at a time. It is one of the splendorous churches built when the British were in Meghalaya. The Shillong peak is at a distance of 10 kms from Shillong and at 1965 meters above sea level. An ideal spot for picnics, the peak offers the visitors a panoramic view of the State.

Spread Eagle Falls located in the Shillong Cantonment area is a veritable optic feast. Sweet Falls, located 8kms away from Shillong and Crinoline Falls at the heart of the city are the other adorable waterfalls.

The extraordinarily scenic Jaintia Hills, home of the Jaintia tribes, is in the eastern part of the Meghalaya. Endowed by nature with abundant rainfall, bright sunshine, all round greenery, high plateaus, enchanting valleys, rippling rivers, cascading waterfalls and pleasant streamlets, the Jaintia Hill stands out as the most alluring sights of Meghalaya. The Jaintia Hills is a picturesque town encircled by the gorgeous Myntdu River in Meghalaya.

High above the dazzling valleys and surging rivers and perched on a headland, lies Cherrapunji, 4,500 ft above the sea level. Cherrapunji, is by any standards, a spectacular location with uninterrupted rain all through the year. Cherrapunji in Meghalaya had reportedly earned a pride of place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the wettest place on the earth. This is one place all over the world, where the copious rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.
Cherrapunji , the virgin land with unique charm, is perhaps the only place in India, which has just one season - the monsoon. Another strange fact about Cherrapunji is it rains mostly at night without disrupting normal activity during day time. The alluring, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls - the 4th highest in India, is just a few kilometers from Cherrapunji and this is a spectacular sight no visitor should miss. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss make Cherrapunji a botanist's paradise.

The formidable Khasi Hills in Meghalaya occupies the central part of the state of Meghalaya. Khasi Hills is the most renowned hills resort in north east India and is certainly one of the salubrious spots in the country. Khasi Hills is the picture perfect destination in Meghalaya that draws hosts of tourists – both domestic and foreign. While visiting Khasi Hills, miss not to spend time at the romantic Umiam lake set amidst surrounding sylvan hills in striking emerald green. The Water Sports Complex situated in the lake offers visitors a choice of row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats.

Amidst the green forest, lies the sacred Sohpetbneng peak fondly called by the locals as the 'Navel of Heaven'. For visitors seeking peace of mind, and some time off from the humdrum of routine life, this might be an ideal retreat. The Elephant Falls is another ravishingly beautiful spot. The mountain stream cascades over two successive falls set amidst fern-covered rocks to form the unique Elephant Falls. Situated at a distance of 12 kms from Shillong, the waterfalls draw a host of tourists.

Krem Mawmluh is one of the chief attractions in Meghalaya. This cave is located near Cherrapunjee. Five rivers make their way through Krem Mawmluh and the height of Krem Mawmluh cave is 4503 meters. Mawsynram Cave is yet another wondrous cave formation made up of stalagmite. Many devotees flock to this place as it resembles a 'Shivalinga'. As a matter of fact, Meghalaya is sporadically dotted with numerous natural caves. Exploring the strange natural formations through murky interiors is a thrilling experience particularly for those interested.

The state Meghalaya is considered as one of the most picturesque state of India – replete with numerous tourist attractions. True to it name, when you visit Meghalaya, you suddenly feel you are living in a place surrounded by clouds. Many tourists come from all over the world to spend their holidays in Meghalaya which is predominantly untouched by human machinery and still in a virgin state.